THE MOMENT
Rupert sighed in peace once he was ready. It'd been a surprisingly busy day, which wasn't too bad on its own. But, he spent most of the day distracted by a new piece of music. He ran a simple business that consisted of guiding adventurers to and from the Castle. There was no shortage of lucky, foolhardy explorers returning with a handful of mundane, but still rare items. Sheet music wasn't anything special; but, sheet music found in the Dark Lord's castle was something interesting.
One of Rupert's clients gifted him the sheet music when he expressed an interest, and it had been sitting on Rupert's mind for the rest of the day. He enjoyed playing the piano every day after work to unwind, and he was well-versed in music. He could hear the piece in his mind with just a glance, and he was almost obsessed after that imagined melody. It followed a relatively classical structure, but it was unlike anything he'd imagined so far. It occupied his mind until he was home, relaxed, and sitting in front of his piano.
He stared at the sheet, then he gave one more contented sigh as he started to play. He placed his fingers on the keys, then he lost himself. He ended with a final, definitive note, and lifted his hands with no idea how much time had passed. He was objectively aware that he just finished playing the whole piece of music; the sheet was turned as proof. But, he couldn't remember actually going through it with the music. Rupert tried to make sense of the lost moments when he became aware of another unusual sensation. He felt almost obligated to turn around, and he wasn't surprised that he was no longer alone.
Rupert lived alone, so he had no idea who the lovely, pink-skinned woman in a sheer gown was. The lights in the room were bright enough to easily pass through the thin cloth decorating her body; the gauze-like material certainly did nothing to hide it.
"That was lovely," she gave him a broad smile. "It might be the best rendition I've heard, what's your name?" she asked as she stepped closer. Rupert had just enough wherewithal to consider being wary of the half-naked woman with an unnatural pink skin tone. She was still a stranger after all. But, the thought vanished as quickly as it came up as she put a delicate hand on his shoulder.
"It's Rupert," he said. "I'm Rupert," he chuckled nervously as he clarified something that wasn't confusing at all. "My name's Rupert, whats yours?" he asked. He turned his body around on his stool to make sure she knew she had his attention.
"I'm Diavola," she said. She gently caressed the back of his neck with her fingertips as she gave the answer. Rupert chuckled because it tickled, and because it was a funny coincidence.
"Diavola? That's unfortunate, it's the name of the Dark Lord too," Rupert grinned. "I hope you don't get too many jerks making jokes about your name," he said.
"Not too many," Diavola shook her head with her own knowing smile. "As much as I'm enjoying getting to know you, handsome...," she added as she touched him again. "... I did come here for a reason." Rupert nodded and waited expectantly.
"What can I help you with, gorgeous?" he asked.
"The thing is, I'm kind of hungry," she said. "I'm usually a picky eater, but as staving as I am, at this point I'll eat pretty much anyone," she continued. She glossed over the deliberate word choice and Rupert didn't raise any objections either. "But, if I'm gonna sink down to eating garbage, I want to make it a little high class, you know? A little extra ambiance to make the experience better than the food. I was already trying to figure out how to do that when I heard you playing that lovely song," her smile grew from ear to ear. Rupert was a smart, if compromised, man.
"You want a little live music while you eat? I'd be happy to arrange that for you!" he said.
"That's exactly what I want," Diavola nodded. "First, I need you to take your shirt off, then I'd very much like to hear you play that song some more while I eat," she said.
"Anything you say, gorgeous," Rupert grinned and started undoing his buttons. In seconds his shirt was off and he sat at the piano bare-chested. "Ready when you are."
"Hmmm...," Diavola stared at the seated man as she pondered where to start. Then, she gently knelt behind the piano stool with her head near his side. "You should be able to play an extended period if I start here," she reached forward and gently tickled his side with her fingertips and Rupert giggled as he tried to brave the tickle torture for her. Then, she pulled her hand away and leaned in closer, he could feel her breath on his skin.
"Start playing," she said. It was a clear order, not a suggestion and Rupert placed his hands on the keys. He felt a sharp pain in his side as soon as the first note hit, then, like the first time, he lost himself in the music. The difference was, this time he didn't register the end of the song, when Diavola finished her meal.